Toilet tissue roll storage device

ABSTRACT

An elongate open ended enclosure for snug passage therethrough of a transversely flattened or oblate toilet paper roll, and a carrier for endwise engagement into a roll exiting from the enclosure to rotatably support the roll.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,790,097 Wormly 1 Feb. 5, 1974 [54]TOILET TISSUE ROLL STORAGE DEVICE 3,295,900 I 1/1967 Kendll 312 39Inventor: Thaddaues H. b 1218 3,329,366 7/1967 Batla s et a1. 242/5553Liberty St., Camden, NJ. 08104 [22] Filed: Jam 5, 1973 PrimaryExaminer-Leonard D. Christian [21] Appll No.;'32l,358

, [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 242/5553, 312/37 An elongate pen endedenclosure for nug passage Fleld of Search 55-3, therethro'ugh of atransversely or toi 206/52 R, 59 R; 225/46, 47; 312/ let paper roll, anda carrier for endwise engagement into a roll exiting from the enclosureto rotatably sup- [56] References Cited port the rOlL UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,133,600 3/1915 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Wood 242/5553PATENTEDFEB 5 197 4 sum 1 0r 2 FIG. 6

PATENTEDFEB 5:974

sumanrz TOILET TISSUE ROLL STORAGE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Asis well known to those versed in' the field, the provision of toiletpaper in public or semi-public toilets, such as schools, factories,hospitals,- military bases, and the like, imposes certain problems,including pilferage and waste, as well as tedious and time-consumingreplacement procedures, which all serve to increase maintenance costs.Additionally, such public facilities are often subject to extreme spacelimitations, while.

being subject to abusive, unsanitary, and often damaging conditions ofuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an important object of thepresent invention to provide a toilet paper storage dispenser whichovercomes the above-mentioned difficulties, effectively preventspilfering and limits waste, affords multiple roll storage whileeffecting substantial savings in space, and is extremely simple inconstruction, with a minimum of parts, so as to be durable and reliablethroughout a long useful life.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toiletpaper storage dispenser having the advantageous characteristicsmentioned in the preceding paragraph, which saves considerable servicingtime in that maintenance persons can replace paper rolls in a quick andeasy manner, without requiring unlocking of doors, cabinets, or thelike, to effect substantial savings and labor costs, and whicheffectively assures that toilet paper is on hand at all times'whiledeterring excessive unsanitary conditions of paper on the floor, and thelike] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent uponreadingthe following specification and referring to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescop will be indicated by the appended claims. 1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial. top plan viewshowing a toilet room or compartment incorporating the paper storagedispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevationalview, taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG.I, greatly enlarged and partly broken away for clarity of understanding.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an end view taken generally along the line 55 from theentrance end of the device.

FIG. 6 is a partial elevational view similar to FIG. 2, showing aslightly modified embodiment of paper roll retaining means.

vFIG. 7 is a partial end view taken generally along the line 7- 7 ofFIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, a toilet room orcompartment is there generallyv designated 10, including a water closetor toilet bowl 11. On one wall 12, say alongside of the toilet 11, ismounted atoilet paper storage dispenser-of the present invention,generally designated 13.

The storage dispenser 13 includes an elongate enclosure or housing 15,which may assume an open-ended, generally tubular configuration, sayhaving a generally constant cross-sectional configuration of greatervertical dimension or height than horizontal dimension or width, bestseen in FIG. 5.

More specifically, the housing or enclosure 15 may include generallyhorizontal top and bottom walls 16 and 17 disposed in vertically spacedparallel relation, a vertical or outer side wall 18 extending betweenlongitudinal outer side edges of the top and bottom walls, and havingupper and lower oblique or bevel portions 19 and 20.'An'inner ormounting wall 21 extends in generally vertical, laterally spacedparallelism with the outer wall 18, between the inner longitudinal sideedges of the upper and lower walls-l6 and 17, and may extend verticallytherebeyond todefine upper and lower mounting members or flanges 22 and23 for receiving securement members or fasteners, as at 24 and 25extending into .a vertical supporting surface or wall 46.

The elongate, generally tubular enclosure or housing 15 has its oppositeends open, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the leftward open end therebeingdesignated and serving as an entrance or receiving end, while the right:ward open end is designated 51 and serves as an exit or discharge end,which will appear more fully hereinafter. The lower enclosurewall 17 isprovided with an elongate through opening or slot 52 of sufficient width7 to receive a users finger, for a purpose appearing presently.

The internal cross-section of the enclosure or housing 15 is preferablysubstantially constant throughout the enclosure length, and is of a sizeand configuration adapted to snugly and conformably receive a laterallyor transversely flattened, squeezed, or oblate toilet paper roll, a pairof such rolls being shown in storage in the enclosure, as at 55 and 56.In particular, the toilet paper rolls 55 and 56 have been flattened orsqueezed to the illustrated oblate condition, and in such conditioninserted endwise into snug sliding engagement through the open inletorentrance end 50of the enclosure 15 toward the open outlet or dischargeend 51. The enclosure or housing 15 thus defines an elongate passagewayfor slidably passing the toilet paper rolls 55 and 5 6, and storing thelatter during passage. The elongate slot 52 in the lower enclosure wall17 affords finger accessto the interior of the enclosure for positivelysliding the rolls through the enclosure.

Inthis storage condition it will be appreciated that a plurality ofrolls may be stored in a relatively compact, minimum of space. Ofcourse, more or less rolls may be stored, as desired, as by increasingor decreasing the length of the enclosure 15. However, only a minimum ofspace is required as the enclosure or housing 15 projects from itssupporting wall 46 only the approximate minimum dimension of an oblate,flattened or squeezed toilet paper roll. This spacesaving feature is ofcourse extremely important in effecting economies both in initial andcontinuing building costs.

Adjacent to the discharge or exit end 51 of enclosure 15, and spacedtherefrom, is an outstanding projection or bracket 60 including amounting strip or arm 61 suitably affixed, as by fasteners 62 to thesupporting surface or wall 46, and an outstanding projection or arm 63extending generally normal to the supporting wall.

The bracket arm and attachment member 62 may be integrally fabricated ofa suitable stiff strip material, or otherwise formed, as desired.

Extending from the outer end of bracket arm 60 is an elongate member orcarrier 65 which projects generally toward the adjacent open exit end 51of the enclosure 15. If desired, the carrier 65 may be fabricated ofstrip material, say integral with the bracket arm 60, extendingtherefrom and including a portion 66 generally parallel to the wall 46and to the longitudinal axis of enclosure 15, being'offset outwardlyfrom the latter. From the end of the carrier portion 66, there mayextend an oblique carrier portion 67 which is disposed at an angle withrespect to the wall 46 and axis of the enclosure 15. Further, theoblique carrier portion 67. may extend to the axis of the enclosure 15,there extending further as an additional carrier portion or strip68-which passes coaxially through the enclosure 15, terminating at afree end 69 beyond the inlet or entrance end 50 of the enclosure. Ifdesired, the bracket 60 and carrier 65 may 'be integrally fabricated, asof a single strip of stiff resilient materiaL or formed otherwise, ifpreferred. Advan-- tageously, the carrier portion 66 and 67 may be ofreduced transverse or vertical dimension, best seen in FIG. 2, where itwill appear that the upper edge of the carrier portions 66 and 67 arerecessed, cut away or notched, as at 70. Further, a distending body orthickening member 71 may be suitably fixed, as by fasteners 72, to thecarrier portions 66 and 67, on the inner side thereof, say of half-roundor semicircular crosssectional configuration. More particularly, thedistending body 71 may be of generally constant crosssectionalconfiguration along the parallel carrier portion 66, and of tapering orconvergent configuration along the oblique carrier portion 67, best seenin FIG. 3. Conversely, it will be appreciated that the carrier portions67 and 66, together with distending member 71, define a graduallyenlarging or flaring configuration in the direction from the enclosuretoward the bracket 60, for purposes appearing presently.

That is, the distending body 71 has its half-round surface 73 extendingparallel to the wall 46 and enclosure 15, the flat side of thedistending body being in facing engagement with the inner side ofcarrier portion 66, and a tapering or oblique .flat side of thedistending body being in facing engagement with the oblique carrierportion 67.

In operation, a flattened or oblate toilet paper roll from within theenclosure 15 receives centrally thereof the additional carrier portionor extension 68, and upon outward sliding movement through the enclosureoutlet 51 the paper roll progresses along and receives the enlarging orflaring distending member portion and finally the larger end of thedistending member, as the roll 75 adjacent to the bracket 60.

Upon exit from the enclosure 15 the roll 75, by its inherent resilience,attempts to open toward its original cylindrical configuration, whichopening or distension is aided by reception therein of the distendingregions 66, 67 and 71 of the carrier 65. Further, the roll 75 maygravitationally drop into the recess 70 so as to effectively remain inposition on the carrier portion 66, 67 during unwinding of the roll.

Adjacent to the inlet or entrance end 50 of the enclosure 15, there maybe provided retainer means, such as spring strips or leaves 77, beingshown as two in number. However, more or less such resilient retainerstrips may be employed, if desired. The retainer strips 77 may each besuitably affixed, as by fastener means 78, to the mounting wall 21, withtheir longitudinally inner end regions extending obliquely toward theenclosure axis and deflectable away from the latter. Thus, enteringrolls may deflect the free ends of retainers 77 toward the wall 21 formovement past the retainers, afterwhich the retainers snap to anoutstanding position preventing return or removal of a roll, so thatpilferage is effectively deterred. One or more additional rollretainers, as at 79, may be provided on the carrier extension 68, say ofsimilar construction to the retainers 77, or otherwise, as desired, forsnap engagement thereby of an entering toilet paper roll and, uponpassage of the roll, return to a retaining position.

A slightly modified embodiment of the instant invention is shown in FIG.6 and 7, wherein the enclosure 15a need not be provided with rollretainers, and the carrier extension 68a may not be provided with theresilient or snap type carrier retainers of the first describedembodiment. Rather, the carrier extension 68a 'may be provided with aremovable abutment member or retainer 790, say including a cylinder 80aprovided with a reduced end member or lug 81a for removable insertionthrough an aperture or opening 82a formed in the carrier extension 68a.The lug 82a may be provided with a retractile projection 83a which maybe selectively actuated, as by a key lock 84a for positively locking theretainer 80a on the carrier extension 68a. In this manner, the retainer79a may be entirely removed by authorized personnel, say for restockingthe enclosure .15, and thereafter replaced to prevent pilferage.

V From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention providesa toilet paper storage dispenser which effects substantial savings inspace, eliminates or minimizes waste, effectively deters pilferage,permits of quicker and easier servicing, and otherwise fullyaccomplishes its intended objects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration .and example for purposes of clarityof understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A toilet paper storage dispenser comprising an elongate enclosurehaving its opposite ends open and one side adapted for attachment to asupporting wall, said enclosure being of generally constant internalcross-section for snug sliding passage therethrough of a flattenedtoilet paper roll, one enclosure end providing a flattened roll entranceand the other enclosure end providing a flattened roll exit, and anelongate carrier externally of said enclosure adjacent to and extendingtoward said roll exit for rotative supporting engagement in an exitingroll.

2. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 1, said enclosurebeing formed with a longitudinally extending slot for manually shiftingcontained rolls.

3. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 1, said carrierflaring in the direction away from said enclosure for spreadingengagement in an exiting roll to open the latter toward roundedcondition.

4. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 3, said carrierhaving its longitudinal axis offset from the enclosure axis away fromthe supporting wall.

5. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 1, in combinationwith resiliently deflectable snap retainer means in said enclosure forpassing a roll moving in the direction from said entrance end towardsaid exit end and restraining a roll against movement in the oppositedirection.

6. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 1, in combinationwith an extension on said carrier passing centrally through saidenclosure and out the entrance end thereof, for guiding engagement intoan entering roll.

7. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 6, in combinationwith abutment means r'emovably secured to said extension for retainingrolls against re- 'trance end thereof, for guiding engagement into anentering roll.

10. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 9, saidextension comprising a stiff elongate strip for conforming engagement ina flattened roll.

1. A toilet paper storage dispenser comprising an elongate enclosurehaving its opposite ends open and one side adapted for attachment to asupporting wall, said enclosure being of generally constant internalcross-section for snug sliding passage therethrough of a flattenedtoilet paper roll, one enclosure end providing a flattened roll entranceand the other enclosure end providing a flattened roll exit, and anelongate carrier externally of said enclosure adjacent to and extendingtoward said roll exit for rotative supporting engagement in an exitingroll.
 2. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 1, saidenclosure being formed with a longitudinally extending slot for manuallyshifting contained rolls.
 3. A toilet paper storage dispenser accordingto claim 1, said carrier flaring in the direction away from saidenclosure for spreading engagement in an exiting roll to open the lattertoward rounded condition.
 4. A toilet paper storage dispenser accordingto claim 3, said carrier having its longitudinal axis offset from theenclosure axis away from the supporting wall.
 5. A toilet paper storagedispenser according to claim 1, in combination with resilientlydeflectable snap retainer means in said enclosure for passing a rollmoving in the direction from said entrance end toward said exit end andrestraining a roll against movement in the opposite direction.
 6. Atoilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 1, in combination withan extension on said carrier passing centrally through said enclosureand out the entrance end thereof, for guiding engagement into anentering roll.
 7. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 6,in combination with abutment means removably secured to said extensionfor retaining rolls against removal from the entrance end of saidenclosure.
 8. A toilet paper storage dispenser according to claim 1,said carrier flaring in the direction away from said enclosure forspreading engagement in an exiting roll to open the latter toward arounded condition, and said carrier having its longitudinal axis offsetfrom the enclosure axis away from the supporting wall, for free rotationof a carrier supported roll.
 9. A toilet paper storage dispenseraccording to claim 8, in combination with an extension on said carrierpassing centrally through said enclosure and out the entrance endthereof, for guiding engagement into an entering roll.
 10. A toiletpaper storage dispenser according to claim 9, said extension comprisinga stiff elongate strip for conforming engagement in a flattened roll.